Chapter 13 – Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto
Time was of the essence. That very afternoon, Tachibana Kyūjō made his way to the Second Division headquarters, where Yoruichi Shihōin, Urahara Kisuke, and Suì-Fēng were already deep in discussion.
As Kyūjō approached, a teasing voice greeted him.
"Well, well. The ever-busy Shinigami of Soul Society actually found time to visit our humble Division Two," Yoruichi said with her usual playful grin, arms crossed as her amber eyes sparkled with mischief.
Kyūjō chuckled softly. "Did I hear someone's about to be promoted? Rumor has it, a certain someone's going to be the new Captain of Division Twelve?"
Urahara Kisuke, with his laid-back smile and signature green-and-white striped bucket hat, tilted his head. "Your ears are as sharp as ever…"
Standing silently beside them was Suì-Fēng, the young Shinigami in standard black Shihakushō. She offered Kyūjō only a faint nod—nothing more, nothing less. Not out of arrogance, but simply because that was how she was. Except for her captain, Yoruichi, she rarely opened up to anyone.
Of the three, Suì-Fēng was actually the one Kyūjō had worked with most often. As Division Two frequently collaborated with Division Four, their paths had crossed more times than she cared to admit. While she once found it strange for a "medic" to possess such absurd strength, even she couldn't deny his capability—not out loud, but silently, she had acknowledged it long ago.
"So then," Kyūjō added with a smirk, "I suppose I should start calling you Captain Urahara now?"
Urahara shrugged playfully. "Captain Urahara, huh? Sounds better than 'Manager Urahara,' at least."
Yoruichi leaned in, her voice more serious now. "So, Kyūjō-kun... You wouldn't come all the way here without a reason. Spill it."
Kyūjō gave a sheepish laugh, then launched into a full explanation about Kuchiki Hisana's spiritual condition.
Urahara listened quietly, arms crossed and head tilted. When Kyūjō finished, the man didn't immediately accept the request. Instead, he asked with visible curiosity, "Aren't you the one always boasting about being a genius in Kaidō? If someone like you can't fix her, what makes you think I can?"
Kyūjō's smile faded. His gaze turned serious.
"Because when it comes to restoring a soul like Hisana's… you're the only one I trust."
Most people wouldn't understand—but Kyūjō did. As someone who hailed from another world entirely, he knew exactly what was going on beneath the surface.
He knew that Urahara Kisuke had likely already begun research into the Hōgyoku—a mysterious object that, in the future, would shake the very foundation of Soul Society.
Whether or not it was complete yet didn't matter. Based on the timeline, it had to be nearing its final stages.
And one of the core functions of the Hōgyoku... was to preserve the soul of its wielder. It could keep its host from dying, from vanishing, from breaking. When they reached their limit, it pushed them to evolve—whether they wanted to or not.
In the original timeline, Urahara had embedded an incomplete version of the Hōgyoku into Rukia Kuchiki's body.
Later, when Aizen acquired it and fused it with his own, the perfected Hōgyoku was born—one that he used to ascend to terrifying heights.
What Aizen didn't know, however, was that Urahara had built a backdoor into the device—a trap that ultimately led to Aizen's downfall.
With all that in mind, Kyūjō was confident. If he could collaborate with Urahara Kisuke, then saving Hisana's soul wasn't just possible—it was inevitable.
More than that, this research might also become a crucial stepping stone for fixing the damage within his own soul.
Of course, Kyūjō had no intention of using or fusing with the Hōgyoku. What he wanted was the theory—the foundation—the truth behind its creation. If he could understand that, he could apply the logic toward healing instead of evolution.
Urahara's brows furrowed as he stared into Kyūjō's determined eyes.
What kind of look was that…? Why did it feel like this guy was seeing through everything?
Soon after, Kyūjō brought Urahara and the "unofficial observer," Yoruichi, to the Kuchiki estate.
There, they began an intensive study of Hisana's soul.
Between sessions, Kyūjō even pulled Byakuya aside and revealed the location of Hisana's long-lost sister—Kuchiki Rukia—who was still living in District 78 of southern Rukongai.
Two months passed.
Kyūjō and Urahara completed the initial stage of their research and developed a prototype artifact: an experimental Soul Gem, designed specifically to stabilize Hisana's fragile soul.
Unlike the Hōgyoku from the main timeline, this Soul Gem had no power to forcibly increase spiritual pressure or push evolution. Its only purpose was preservation.
But for Hisana… that alone was a miracle.
In the presence of Byakuya and Rukia, Kyūjō embedded the Soul Gem into Hisana's body.
Immediately, color returned to her cheeks. Her spirit brightened.
Her condition—though not completely resolved—was finally stabilized.
Half a year later, Urahara Kisuke and Kuchiki Byakuya officially took their captain seats—Urahara as Captain of Division Twelve, and Byakuya as Captain of Division Six—replacing Kirio Hikifune and Ginrei Kuchiki respectively.
Kirio Hikifune, having developed a revolutionary method to implant temporary souls into artificial bodies, laid the foundation for Gikongan (Soul Pills). She was summoned to join the Royal Guard—Zero Division—as the South Guardian.
Ginrei Kuchiki, burdened by age and duty, finally retired from active service, stepping back into an honorary role within the Kuchiki family.
Meanwhile, Kyūjō himself was also promoted—rising from Third Seat to Vice-Captain of Division Four.
The previous Vice-Captain, Yamada Seinosuke, was transferred to the Central Spiritual Council (Seireitei High Command), becoming the chief medical advisor and working closely with the noble Tsunayashiro Tokinada.
This promotion granted Kyūjō access to follow Captain Unohana Retsu into the First Division's main hall, where captain meetings were held—allowing him to meet Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni for the first time.
In fact, there had been talk from Tsunayashiro Tokinada himself, wanting to pull Kyūjō into Central 46 as a candidate for the future high council.
But Kyūjō had rejected the offer outright.
His refusal had angered the nobleman… but Kyūjō couldn't have cared less.
Central 46? Sorry, what's that?
A den of crusty, corrupt old men?
If they ever crossed the line…
He wouldn't hesitate to wipe them out and blame it all on Aizen.
Heh.
— — —
As the towering gates of First Division's headquarters creaked open, Hirako Shinji—Captain of the Fifth Division—stepped inside with his usual cocky grin and buzz-cut hair, his signature zipper-mouth jacket flapping slightly with each step.
Without warning, a blonde-haired girl shot forward like a missile.
With a single, lightning-fast strike to the forehead, Sarugaki Hiyori sent Hirako flying across the polished marble floor. His body skidded all the way down the hallway and crashed into the outer wall with a thunderous impact.
Thud!
"Ahahaha! Take that, Shinji, you soggy chicken!" Hiyori yelled, hands on her hips and chin raised in triumph. "Still dare to call yourself a Captain? I dropped you with one hit!"
In the distance, Aizen Sōsuke—then still Vice-Captain of the Fifth Division—stood calmly and watched with a gentle smile on his face, making no effort to stop the childish chaos unfolding.
Then—
BAM!
Hiyori was suddenly launched off her feet, collapsing to the floor after receiving a solid punch from none other than Love Aikawa, the burly, towering Captain of the Seventh Division.
"Hiyori! Do you even know where you are?! You wanna brawl, at least pick a better time and place!" Love barked, fuming.
Still sprawled on the ground, Hiyori muttered through clenched teeth, "You heartless gorilla… If I wasn't so small, I'd beat your oversized head into a rice cake!"
Shinji, who had finally recovered and peeled himself off the cracked wall, dusted off his robes and shot a mocking smirk toward Hiyori.
Just as the bickering threatened to escalate again—
Tachibana Kyūjō arrived, walking side by side with Captain Retsu Unohana of the Fourth Division.
The moment Hiyori spotted Kyūjō, her eyes sparkled.
She dashed up and clung to his arm like a child to her older brother, pointing an accusing finger toward Love Aikawa.
"Tachibana-chan! That big oaf hit me for no reason! Come on, help me beat him up!"
Kyūjō chuckled, scratching the side of his head with a helpless expression.
"Hiyori, I'm nowhere near strong enough to take on Captain Love. Besides… isn't your new captain Urahara Kisuke? You should've come with him. Getting smacked around like that is kinda your own fault."
"Tch…" Hiyori pouted and turned her face away with a loud huff.
Truthfully, she still hadn't accepted Urahara as her captain. That smug bastard… He even had a steel plate hidden in his pants! Her foot still throbbed from when she'd kicked him a few days ago.
After exchanging greetings, the Captains and Vice-Captains began filing into the central chamber of Division One.
As they moved in orderly formation, Aizen subtly stepped beside Kyūjō and spoke in a low, almost friendly whisper.
"So, you've been promoted to Vice-Captain now, Tachibana-kun. Congratulations," Aizen said with a warm, pleasant smile.
"Feels like just yesterday you graduated from the academy and I tried to recruit you into the Fifth Division... But it seems Division Four truly suits you better."
Kyūjō picked at his ear with his pinky and replied in a flat, disinterested tone.
"Do you need something, Aizen? If you have something to say, just get to the point. Don't pretend like we're buddies."
A faint glimmer passed through Aizen's eyes.
His smile remained, but the temperature behind it turned ice-cold.
No one else noticed the subtle change—except for Unohana. She narrowed her eyes slightly, scanned the room for a moment, then casually returned to her neutral expression.
Such sharp intuition… no wonder she was once hailed as the most dangerous criminal in Soul Society.
Aizen glanced toward her and muttered under his breath, "Truly worthy of her title..."
Then he turned back to Kyūjō.
"And you… You're no less impressive," Aizen whispered. "You've managed to deceive everyone here. Just like me."
What no one realized was that Aizen had long since activated his Zanpakutō, Kyōka Suigetsu, putting every single Captain and Vice-Captain under complete hypnosis.
Everyone... except Tachibana Kyūjō.
When Aizen removed his glasses and stared directly into Kyūjō's eyes, he was struck with unease.
So that was it.
Kyōka Suigetsu... doesn't work on him.
Aizen's voice dropped lower, colder.
"You really are an anomaly, Tachibana-kun. Care to explain how you're resisting my Zanpakutō's hypnosis?"
Kyūjō gave a slow smirk. Instead of answering, he countered, "So that was your goal, huh? To test if your ability worked on me?"
Aizen shook his head and slid his glasses back on, his tone deceptively friendly.
"Not quite... I simply wanted to confirm something."
"You and I... we're the same. We both walk in shadows, hiding our strength. Keeping secrets."
Kyūjō gave a quiet nod. He was well aware that to defeat Aizen in the future, he would need to go all out. But for now…?
No need.
He wasn't a pawn of Central 46.
Let Aizen wipe them all out. Those decaying fossils had it coming.
So long as it didn't interfere with his own plans, Kyūjō had no reason to act prematurely.
Aizen spoke again, voice light and casual. "I heard you and Urahara created something rather... fascinating. Would you mind telling me more about it?"
Kyūjō chuckled under his breath. "Don't bother asking. I won't tell you."
"If you want details, go ask Urahara yourself. But leave me out of it. And one more thing…"
He paused, then met Aizen's gaze directly.
"Don't touch them."
"Anyone I consider a friend in Soul Society—if you harm even one—then I won't just be watching from the sidelines."
"That'll be war."
The moment those words left Kyūjō's lips, Kyōka Suigetsu trembled in its sheath.
Aizen froze.
Impossible.
Even complete hypnosis… can be shattered?
Before he could dwell on it, Aizen quickly reined in his emotions and returned to his calm, smiling façade.
No one had noticed.
The other Captains and Vice-Captains were still chatting, oblivious to the tension that had just passed between them.
Soon after, everyone entered the grand meeting chamber of Division One.
Vice-Captains, including Kyūjō, Aizen, and Hiyori, took their positions behind their respective Captains.
Captain Attendance – Gotei 13 Council:
Division 13: Jūshirō Ukitake
Division 12: Urahara Kisuke
Division 11: Zaraki Kenpachi (Absent)
Division 10: Isshin Shiba
Division 9: Kensei Muguruma
Division 8: Shunsui Kyōraku
Division 7: Love Aikawa
Division 6: Byakuya Kuchiki
Division 5: Hirako Shinji
Division 4: Retsu Unohana
Division 3: Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi
Division 2: Yoruichi Shihōin
— — —
And then—
As silence settled over the grand hall, a powerful aura washed over the room.
From behind the great curtain, two figures stepped forth.
One was Vice-Captain Sasakibe Chōjirō.
And beside him, clad in traditional robes and exuding a pressure that made even seasoned Captains straighten their backs—
Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13—Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
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